Vikings Bring Back Head Coach Tice for 2005

[Walter Cronkite]

Mike Tice will coach the Minnesota Vikings again in 2005.

The team picked up Tice's $1 million option to coach next season, despite a second straight late-season fade by the club.

Owner Red McCombs gave Tice the news in a phone call Monday. The Vikings have lost six of their last nine games, but at 8-7 still have a shot at the playoffs.

"Although our expectation of winning the division was not met, we feel that the program Mike Tice has guided gives us the talent base to have to success today and in the future," McCombs said in a statement. "Our expectations are high for the upcoming playoffs and for next year."

Tice has posted a 23-25 record since replacing Dennis Green before the final game of the 2001 season. He would have become a free agent Jan. 31 if the club failed to exercise the option by Saturday - the day before Minnesota's regular season finale at Washington.

"I think it will be good for the players, because they won't have to hear (about the contract) all week," Tice said.

Source: AP

[Lykin]

Mistake Mistake Mistake!!!!

Tice is a good assistant coach but not head coach. He makes too many mistakes. And he can't motivate his players during the home stretch of a season.

I agree...that's why they been choking these past 2-3 years. They start off hot at the beginning and loss it midway through the season. But at least there doing better than my team (Raiders). That's just because the Vikings are in the NFC, otherwise I think they would have a worse record.